Stakeholders in the population sector have called for more family planning commodities to slow down fertility growth rate as the world population hit eight billion by November this year.
The Chairman of National Population Commission in Nigeria, Mr. Isa Kwarra, revealed that one of the ways to address the challenges of growing population in the country is to have accelerated equitable access to family planning at all service points across all communities.
According to him, Nigeria is among the eight countries globally sustaining the world population growth and leading in Africa. Current projections at 216 million people, who represent 216 million opportunities; if aptly harnessed, could transform the development landscape of our nation.
“The people’s age 13 structure favours the young people (those below the age of 30 years) who make up over 70 percent of our population.
He stated this at a world press briefing to celebrate 2022 World Population Day adding that “there is a need to have a quality and healthy population that can contribute to the growth and development of the country.”
2022 world population celebration has its theme: “A World of 8 billion: Towards a Resilient Future – Harnessing Opportunities and Ensuring Rights and Choices for All”
“The situation calls for attention on providing quality and sustained investments in health care, particularly in family planning of women and adolescents, transformative and relevant education for growing numbers of children and young people that fits into current and future jobs requirements, housing and decent employment/jobs across successive administrations and governance.
“There is a need to harness the opportunities embedded in our people and establish resilience in addressing the challenges that our rapid population growth poses through accelerated equitable access to family planning at all service points across all communities.’’ He said.
Mr Kwarra also said that the commission was working hard to conduct a free, fair, reliable, credible and acceptable census come 2023.
Olusola Akintonde
